Sing Noel: An Evening of Uplifting Christmas Music by the Hurst Texas Stake
From singing Christmas music in church to going caroling to brighten someone’s holiday experience, music brings the Christmas spirit. This year’s Sing Noel performance was no exception. Hosted by the Hurst Texas Stake, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints officially welcomed the Christmas season with song in an annual musical devotional.
An adult choir started the evening by singing “Spirit of the Season” by Alan Silvestri. A Tongan choir from the Euless-area wards (congregations), brought in a wonderful spirit through their singing of “Oh, Come All Ye Faithful” and “Christ the Lord.” Other singers included soloists and a children’s choir comprising children ages 7–11 years old.
Rebecca Andrews, a member of the Bedford 2nd Ward, shares her experience being involved with the Sing Noel experience, which has become a decade-long tradition in the area:
“Sing Noel is my favorite Stake Christmas tradition and we missed it so much during the pandemic. We enjoy the fellowship with other musicians, and the opportunity it gives us to participate in celebrating our Savior’s birth through music.”
Rebecca and Justin Andrews and family: Ryan, Vincente, Joseline, Seth and Samuel—each participated in “Sing Noel.”
All of the musical selections portrayed a beautiful picture of the Savior’s birth and what that night must have been like to be there. Some songs included thoughts on what it must have been like for Mary as a new mother, especially an earthly mother to the Messiah, and what it would have been like for Joseph to help raise the Son of God.
Choir, musicians and the audience gathered at the Hurst Stake Center for “Sing Noel.”
Other songs included what it must have been like to be a shepherd in the field, being visited by an angel to first proclaim to them “Fear Not,” and to then usher in the good news that we’re all still trying to share with others: that a Babe was born in Bethlehem, come to save us all. It’s on account of our own faith and continually coming to Him, as the lowly shepherds did and the wise men of the east, that we’ll find true joy and a remission of our sins.
The evening concluded with songs from the children’s choir, helping us to reflect on: What shall we give to the Babe in a manger? Today, that’s a daily choice we each must ask ourselves to continually come unto Him.
We’re still waiting for Him and know that His coming is near. Will this be the day? We can each be angels to others, proclaiming the good news that He lives, that He will come again, helping them to get on the covenant path and stay there, ready to meet our King.
Report by Rachel Scott
Rachel Scott serves as a Stake Website Editor and Reporter. She is a wife of 18 years to a brilliant and amazing man, a mom of three wonderful children, and works part time at a middle school. She enjoys walking, reading, doing puzzles, and attends the temple during her free time.